The Baines Report
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Lyndon Baines Johnson’s victory in the 1964 presidential election. Our school’s namesake won 44 states, leaving Republican challenger Barry Goldwater with only six. LBJ’s victory was one of our country’s most lopsided presidential elections—but many believe Goldwater’s defeat was also the most consequential loss in American history. The 1964 […]
For the first time in history, an Arab country, Qatar, has won the bid to host the World Cup in 2022. Yet, allegations of borderline slave labor used to build the stadium have caused many to wonder whether Qatar deserves to host the World Cup. These allegations are based on two prominent studies independently conducted […]
The argument that America is in the stranglehold of widening, bitter political battles has become so prevalent that it is widely accepted as true. The problem, however, is that it’s not. Senate Democrats complained that President Obama’s appointments were being blocked by an “obstructionist” Republican minority- even though only 4 out of 1,560 Obama appointees […]
Two important elections happened on November 5, 2013, one in New Jersey and the other in Virginia. These elections could be indicators of what’s to come in politics and how to win or lose an election. The reelection of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie provides the first set of electoral lessons. According to the Associated […]
You might think that CR stands for ‘Continuing Resolution’ – a method to fund the government – and you would technically be correct. However, CR should stand for Constrained Republic as it stifles growth within America. A CR is used when the Congress fails to pass a budget. It funds the government for a set […]
When Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson steps down on October 1, Texas will not only be losing a judicial leader, it will also be losing a champion for judicial reform. As chief justice, Jefferson spoke out forcefully for reforming the way Texas chooses its judges. Texas, like many other states, elects its judges.[1] […]
The AT&T Conference Center on the UT Campus was packed to the gills Friday evening for the first keynote speaker of the 2013 Texas Tribune Festival: US Senator Ted Cruz. There was a line of more than 50 pissed-off donors, patrons, students, and at least one journalist waiting to get into the conference room in […]
Although many Texans may not have noticed yet, life in the Lone Star State changed dramatically this month. When the clock struck midnight on September 1, more than 600 new state laws went into effect, changing everything from farmers’ market standards to switchblade restrictions. [1] These laws added new rules, removed old rules, and amended […]
Rules matter. In the legislative process rules can decide whether a bill lives or dies – as they did this week with a high-profile bill attacking women’s health, Senate Bill 5. More broadly, however, legislative rules provide structure for a chaotic process and establish certain expectations for how the legislative process will proceed. In other […]
Only an hour after a fairly friendly and bipartisan Texas legislative session ended, Governor Rick Perry called lawmakers back together to debate one of the most partisan and polarizing issues facing the legislature: redistricting. The redistricting process, through which legislators redraw the state’s political boundaries in order to ensure elected officials represent the same number […]
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